Four arrested in major car theft ring

Four people have been arrested in a massive car theft racketeering case that netted an estimated $2.5 million in stolen vehicles and led to the murder of one of the suspects.

Thursday, May 25th 2006, 8:05 PM EDT

Updated:

Friday, February 19th 2010, 1:19 PM EST

FORT MYERS:

Four people have been arrested in a massive car theft racketeering case that netted an estimated $2.5 million in stolen vehicles and led to the murder of one of the suspects.

Authorities say a series of auto thefts were planned and carried out at local car dealerships.

"This is probably the largest case the auto theft unit has worked in 10 years," said Sergeant Chip Pakulis from the Lee County Sheriff's Office.

The cars were then used in the commission of other crimes, including distribution of drugs.

"What's different about this case, the suspects somehow would get hold of the keys so when it was time to steal they would simply open the car and drive away," said Pakulis.

Investigators got a break in the case when they identified suspect Jose Angel Torres, 26. Torres had also been arrested for a rash of car burglaries at a Cracker Barrel restaurant in the fall.

But Torres was shot to death late the night of January 3rd and his body was dumped behind the Shoppes at Paddle Creek off Gladiolus Drive in south Fort Myers.

Deputies say the man who gunned Torres down was the ring leader of the group, Arthur Lee Coleman of Fort Myers.

Fort Myers police arrested Coleman two weeks after Torres' murder on an outstanding warrant. They say he was driving a stolen car when arrested and still had the gun used to kill Torres.

This week, Coleman was charged with one count of racketeering, 14 counts of grand theft auto and one count of dealing in stolen property. He's still being held without bond for the murder of Torres and other crimes.

Jack Acosta, General Sales Manager at the Audi, Jaguar and Landover dealership in Fort Myers had two of his cars stolen. It was the first time and he's working to keep it the last.

"Since than we secure our keys and even have a security company and dogs out there at night," said Acosta.

Three others were also arrested as part of the racketeering investigation.

Allen Daniel Lawson, 39, of 3014 25th Street SW in Lehigh Acres is charged with one count of racketeering and six counts of grand theft auto. He's being held without bond in the Lee County Jail.

Alphonda C. Baker, 31, of Lehigh Acres is currently in the Collier County Jail awaiting transport to Lee County on one count of racketeering and three counts of grand theft auto.

Lashonda T. Lawson, 35, of Lehigh Acres has so far eluded authorities. She's wanted on one count of racketeering and six counts of grand theft auto.

Lawson is described as a black female, 5'3" tall, 230 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

Deputies say the investigation is ongoing and more charges are pending against others connected to the auto theft ring.